News
The Department of Environmental Supervision has identified cases of illegal timber transportation in the Samegrelo region
Employees of the Samegrelo–Zemo Svaneti Regional Division of the Department of Environmental Supervision under the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture identified cases of illegal timber transportation.
Two violations were recorded in the town of Jvari, Tsalenjikha Municipality. Citizens were transporting approximately 7 cubic meters of coniferous timber, a primary processed wood product (boards), illegally harvested and processed in Svaneti, using motor vehicles while traveling from Mestia toward Zugdidi. In both cases, the offenders had arranged special hiding compartments in their vehicles. The vehicles were sealed and the relevant documentation was prepared. The case materials have been forwarded to the relevant authorities for further action.
Combating illegal forest use remains a top priority for the Department of Environmental Supervision. The patrol crews of the Department conduct continuous 24-hour monitoring nationwide to ensure the timely prevention, detection, and suppression of illegal logging and other environmental violations. In addition, they provide immediate responses to all reports received through the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture’s hotline (153).
Due to stricter control measures, poachers are resorting to various methods to carry out illegal timber transportation covertly, including using different types of vehicles such as fuel tankers and route minibuses. Nevertheless, the Department has detected and prevented numerous violations. In the Samegrelo–Zemo Svaneti region alone, the Department identified nearly 300 cases of illegal forest use in 2025,” stated Zviad Shurgaia, Deputy Head of the Department of Environmental Supervision
